Strange slow leak

JimD · 08-21-2015, 03:23 PM

I had one of my PSS tires patched today. That isn't super unusual although the first time on these tires. What is unusual is the tire went completely flat - tire gauge said 0 - when in the garage. I aired it up without moving the car and overnight it went to zero again. Then I aired it up, backed the car out of the garage to where the tire was more accessable and waited until I had time today to take it in. It read 34 psi after I aired it up, 31 psi when I left for the tire place and 32.5 psi when I got there. So after going to zero overnight it lost only 3 psi overnight and basically nothing in a ~10 mile drive to get it patched.

So why does it go completely flat, twice, while in the garage and then hold air pretty decently the very next night. The only thing I can think of is was in exactly the right position when in the garage that it opened up the leak so the air came out quicker (I never heard it leaking).

So I'm glad it's patched but still scratching my head a little. Thoughts?

champignon · 08-21-2015, 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimD

I had one of my PSS tires patched today. That isn't super unusual although the first time on these tires. What is unusual is the tire went completely flat - tire gauge said 0 - when in the garage. I aired it up without moving the car and overnight it went to zero again. Then I aired it up, backed the car out of the garage to where the tire was more accessable and waited until I had time today to take it in. It read 34 psi after I aired it up, 31 psi when I left for the tire place and 32.5 psi when I got there. So after going to zero overnight it lost only 3 psi overnight and basically nothing in a ~10 mile drive to get it patched.

So why does it go completely flat, twice, while in the garage and then hold air pretty decently the very next night. The only thing I can think of is was in exactly the right position when in the garage that it opened up the leak so the air came out quicker (I never heard it leaking).

So I'm glad it's patched but still scratching my head a little. Thoughts?

sadistic mice holed up in your garage

ShocknAwe · 08-21-2015, 04:35 PM

Bent wheel can do that, or a small hole, depends on pressures on the bead/tread opening or sealing the hole.

mr.fabulous · 08-21-2015, 05:57 PM

sometimes leaky valve stem?

Top Gon · 08-21-2015, 10:37 PM

could also be a cracked wheel. Stock wheels (264) have been known to crack

bmw1racer · 08-21-2015, 11:21 PM

I suppose you could take the wheel off, pump it up with air, then cover it with soapy water or immerse it in water and look for a leak.

ShocknAwe · 08-22-2015, 08:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bmw1racer

I suppose you could take the wheel off, pump it up with air, then cover it with soapy water or immerse it in water and look for a leak.

This is the best method if you have a bucket big enough.

bmw1racer · 08-22-2015, 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ShocknAwe

This is the best method if you have a bucket big enough.

True. The soapy water might be more viable.

JimD · 08-22-2015, 08:12 PM

I crack in a wheel or a valve stem would not seem to be something that would open up in one wheel position and leak a lot more slowly in other wheel positions. That's why I think it was that the tire position was such that the leak opened up in the garage. A tire leak is also what my tire place reported.

AKopp · 08-23-2015, 08:02 AM

Soapy water.... A lot of times, (probably not in your case), aluminum wheels get corrosion and the beads won't seal. I see it all the time. But yeah, get a bottle of soapy water and start spraying. It might take a few minutes, but you'll see bubbles.

08-21-2015, 03:23 PM	#1
JimD Brigadier General 368 Rep 3,547 Posts Drives: 128i convertible Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Lexington, SC iTrader: (0)	Strange slow leak I had one of my PSS tires patched today. That isn't super unusual although the first time on these tires. What is unusual is the tire went completely flat - tire gauge said 0 - when in the garage. I aired it up without moving the car and overnight it went to zero again. Then I aired it up, backed the car out of the garage to where the tire was more accessable and waited until I had time today to take it in. It read 34 psi after I aired it up, 31 psi when I left for the tire place and 32.5 psi when I got there. So after going to zero overnight it lost only 3 psi overnight and basically nothing in a ~10 mile drive to get it patched. So why does it go completely flat, twice, while in the garage and then hold air pretty decently the very next night. The only thing I can think of is was in exactly the right position when in the garage that it opened up the leak so the air came out quicker (I never heard it leaking). So I'm glad it's patched but still scratching my head a little. Thoughts? __________________ 128i Convertible, MT, Alpine White, Black Top, Taupe Leatherette, Walnut, Sport Ordered 5/22/09, Completed 6/4/09, At Port 6/9/09, On the Georgia Highway 6/13/09, Ship Arrived Charleston 6/24/09 at 10pm, PCD 7/21/09
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08-21-2015, 04:35 PM	#3
ShocknAwe 1Addict 3233 Rep 7,893 Posts Drives: E82 Mutt, M57 Truck Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Charleston iTrader: (22)	Bent wheel can do that, or a small hole, depends on pressures on the bead/tread opening or sealing the hole. __________________ 2010 135i 6MT Jet Black N54/3 FE82 Mutt \| BUILD THREAD \| GARAGE SALE
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08-21-2015, 05:57 PM	#4
mr.fabulous Captain 209 Rep 893 Posts Drives: Women Crazy Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Florida Gulf Coast iTrader: (0)	sometimes leaky valve stem? __________________ 2011 135i MSport 6MT AW/black, 72Kmiles, bone stock, moneymoneymoneymoneymoneymoneymoneymoneymoneymoney I LOVE THIS CAR
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08-21-2015, 10:37 PM	#5
Top Gon Bashar 412 Rep 1,120 Posts Drives: 2023 BMW Z4 M40i Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Bay Area, CA iTrader: (4)	could also be a cracked wheel. Stock wheels (264) have been known to crack
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08-21-2015, 11:21 PM	#6
bmw1racer bimmerphile, technogeek 998 Rep 3,784 Posts Drives: 2012 E82 6MT Sport Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: SoCal iTrader: (0) Garage List 2012 BMW 128i Coupe [0.00]	I suppose you could take the wheel off, pump it up with air, then cover it with soapy water or immerse it in water and look for a leak. __________________
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08-22-2015, 08:12 PM	#9
JimD Brigadier General 368 Rep 3,547 Posts Drives: 128i convertible Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Lexington, SC iTrader: (0)	I crack in a wheel or a valve stem would not seem to be something that would open up in one wheel position and leak a lot more slowly in other wheel positions. That's why I think it was that the tire position was such that the leak opened up in the garage. A tire leak is also what my tire place reported. __________________ 128i Convertible, MT, Alpine White, Black Top, Taupe Leatherette, Walnut, Sport Ordered 5/22/09, Completed 6/4/09, At Port 6/9/09, On the Georgia Highway 6/13/09, Ship Arrived Charleston 6/24/09 at 10pm, PCD 7/21/09
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08-23-2015, 08:02 AM	#10
AKopp Second Lieutenant 24 Rep 265 Posts Drives: 2009 BMW 135i Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: PA iTrader: (0)	Soapy water.... A lot of times, (probably not in your case), aluminum wheels get corrosion and the beads won't seal. I see it all the time. But yeah, get a bottle of soapy water and start spraying. It might take a few minutes, but you'll see bubbles. __________________ 2009 135i - SG/Coral - 19" Alufelgen SF-71 - ST Coilovers - Cobb Stage 2+ - AR Downpipes - Berk Sport Exhaust - Active Autowerke Charge Pipe - AMS FMIC - AFE DCI - LUX V3 Angel Eyes - LCI Blacklines - Active Autowerke Strut Tower Brace - BMW Performance CF Spoiler - Kerscher Carbon Splitter - Scopian CF Diffuser - MusicarNW Level 2
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